Shuttleless loom



Augfzz, 1939.`

w. T. SULLIVAN sHuTTLELEss Loon Filled oct. 14, 193.8"

s sheets-sheet 1 W. T. SULLIVAN SHUTTLELESS LOOI Aug. 2z, `1939.

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 14, 1938 vwmvbo, WOODRUFF' 7." SUL L l VAN.V

Aug. 22, 1939. l w. T. SULLIVAN 2,170,770

ASHU'I'TI-IE-IESS L00' Filed Oct.. 14. 1 9158` 9 Sheets-Sheet 4WOODRUFF. r SULL/v4 N.

Wands.

Aug. 22, G1939. l `w. 1'. 'SULLIVAN suuTTLELEss Loon mad oct. 14. 193s 9Sheets-Sheet 5 moan/FF T. 51u L/ vA/v. i

w. 1'. SULLIVAN 2,170,770n` saUT'rLELEss Lool Filed oct. 14, 1938 Aug.22, 1939.

9 ASheets-Shaka?. 6

www,

Aug. zz, 1939.-

Filed oct; 14, 1958 9 Sheng-sheet v R. uw hw N Nw 542,) MMS;

Patented Aug. 22, 1939 r PATENT i oFEICE i snU'rTLELEss' LooM wo'arufrT.su11ivaii ,Ndrvvih,ocnn. Applicatign october 14, 193s, serial No.235,044,"

` 17 claims. (ol. 139-127) This invention relates to improvements inshuttleless looms. A

The object of this invention' is tolenable the production of wovenfabrics of a better quality and at a reduction in cost. This isaccomplished by the discarding of the time` honored shuttle andsubstituting for this type of weft carrier a system wherein the weftsupply is located extraneous to the shuttle and loom, thus allowing amuch larger source of supply than the necessarily small shuttle viscapable of containing. The

magnitude of the supply enables the practically continuous operation ofthe loom, thus eliminating the necessityof any complicated, costly andtroublesome automatic shuttle `changing feature. Because of the factthat a shuttle or shuttles are not necessary many disadvantages ofshuttle operation are eliminated, such for `instance as filling breakageon the shuttle quill or in the box, or the necessary complicated shuttletension devices within the shuttle which it is impossibleto duplicate indiierent shuttles. v One tensionv on the filling would act at all times,and for every pick resulting in a constant operating condition 'which inturn reflects itself in the quality of the fabric. Due to the operatingcharacteristics of the lling inserting carrier there is a more favorabletension condition on the weft than is4 possible with shuttle operationwherein there is. a sudden yank or pull on the lling when the slack istaken up after the shuttle has entered the shed. i

Another important object is the locationv of ay filling drop Ywire orsystem which will operate to stop the loom in case there is a notableleslsening of tension on the lling at any time, or

that the same shouldbreak. As soon as there is an appreciable lesseningof tension in theiilling the loom would be stopped through the llingstop motion feature. This would tend to eliminate the possibility ofbroken picks which condition is not ordinarily solved. Regulation offill- `ing tension would be possible so that tension at all times isconstant with the result that every kpick is inserted under identicalconditions rebration caused by the necessarily heavy strain due to thepicking force required to operate the picker sticks. This should be ofdistinct advantage especially when pile fabrics are considered, becausethe pile would becut under more favor,- able cutting condition, namelyless vibration.

In the shuttle operating type of loom it is necessary to provideprotection in the form of a dagger and dagger bumper. Should a shuttlefail to traverse the shed and reach its box in the correctmanner thedaggerloperates to bump the loom off or stop the same, andpreventtheshuttle from damagingthe shed at the beat upposition. With theshuttleless invention hereinafter specifically described there is littlenecessity for shuttle protection as the weft inserting jaws aremechanically operated and at no time should be in a position to damagethe warp threads. 'Ihis eliminates the costly, bothersome andcomplicated protecting system and further simplifies the loom v weft thenecessity ofvlfllling mixing is not so requisite, because of a small andvarying source such as is suppliedbyea shuttle, system `is not present.'I'he novel; arrangement of the inserting tubes. which does not `requirean outer bearing for the tubesreliminates the necessity of much longerinserting tubes, thus conserving floor space and enabling the device tooperate in a much moref restrictedV area. The particular construction ofthe tubeequalizeralso insures much smoother operationby minimizing anywhipping ofthe inserting device which might occur and conse-` duentlyassuring satisfactory transfer of the lill;` 40 ing from one set of jawsto the other atthe time of transfer. p

This method of filling vinsertion does not require aliilling carrier ofthe proportions of the usual shuttle'filling carrier. The size ofthecarrier or filling inserter is practically independent of the sizeof theiilling and allowsi, especially in coarse work, the possibility of asomewhatusrnaller warp shred to work in.

With the foregoing and other objects in` view. A

the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and`arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying ,drawlngsf' and more particularlypointed outin" the appended claims.

the right end of the loom as shown in Figure 1.

-.Figure 3 is an enlarged rear view of the grip- Y ping device operatinglever, shown in Figure 2,

together with a fragmentary view of the operating means for the lever.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of Y the end of the loom,showing particularly a bracket carrying the gripping device supportingtube.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the large filling carrying cone andthe tension device .of the loom.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on une s -s Figure 4,.looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is an enlarged, side elevation View of the tension device,while Figure 8 is a top plan' viewof the same.

Figure 9 is a view in front elevation of thel tension device.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tension device.

Figure 11 1s an enlarged view of the gripping devices, showing theretrieving gripping device and the inserting gripping device both inside elevation. l

Figure 12 is an.enlarged view of the gripping devices, showing theretrieving gripping device and the inserting gripping device both in topplan.

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the gripping devices in theirinterlocking position.

Figure 14 is an enlarged view o f the gripping devices, showing samewhen the retrieving device has gripped the lling and is moving outwardfrom within the inserting device.

Figure 15 is an enlarged view showing the retrieving device as itappears when moving away from the inserting device; the inserting devicein this position having its jaws open, .as shown ln Figure 14, allowingthe filling to be freely pulled across the remaining width of the shed.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line IB-IE, Figure 12,and looking in the direction of the arrows. y

Figure` 17 is a sectional view taken on line I1-I'I, Figure 16.

Figure -18 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the loom, showingparticularly the filling cutter or scissor device, in conjunction'with`the looper device. Y

Figure 19 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the loom, `showingparticularly the shed, the looper device, the retrieving jaw (in dottedlines), etc., while Figure 20 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the loom, showingparticularly in plan view the looper device, while Figure 22 'is an edgeview of the same.

Figure 23 is an enlarged elevated View of the looper jaws, whileFigure`24 is an end view of the same.

Figure 25 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the looper jaws.

Figure 26-is an enlarged sectional view taken onlline 2li- 26, Figure 2,and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, in which I have shown the preferredembodiment of the loom, the frame I has the rocker shaft 2 journalledthereare connected at their outer ends to the lower ends of levers 9,and the inner ends of the rods are'connectedrby the coil spring I2. ingdevices I3 are attached at their outer ends `to levers 9, 'and passoverl rollers I4. The innen end of each of the connecting devices I3 isconnected to angarm I5 (Figure 3), and this arm l5 is actuated by a cammember I6 through suitable gearingsv I'I, dotted line. Each lever 9- isslotted at is upper bifurcated end (Figs. 1 and 2) and in thisbifurcated end is the operating tube collar roll. I8, which is Acarriedby the opert ating tube I9; -the collar roll extends into the slottedportion (Fig. 1). On the inner end of the right hand operating tube I9is mounted' Connectthe inserting gripping device 20, and on the innerend of the left hand operating tube is mounted the retrieving grippingdevice 2I. The swinging of the levers 9 cause operation ofthe-grippingdevices 20 and 2I, as hereinafter specifically described. Itis to be understood that upon rotating shaft 8 the lay structure 3 and 4will oscillate to and fro around the center of rocker shaft 2 in theusual manner. It is to be understood that upon rotation of shaft 8(Figure 3), through the gearings Il, cam units i6 will be operated whichcauses arm I5 to be pressed downward resulting in a' pull on theconnecting means I3, thereby actuating the lever in one direction. Then,as rotary movement -of the cam I6 continues, spring I2 will exert a.pulling action on each lever, resulting inmoving the levers outwardlywith respect to their upper ends. This structure and operation will beclearly appreelated upon referring to Figs. 1 and 3. In operation, themovement of the levers 9 and the operating tubes I9 is rapid, forproducing a highly efficient weaving action.

The inserting gripping device 20 comprises a pair of jaws 22 pivotaliyconnected at 23 upon a plug 24 (Figure 16), detachably secured to theinnerend of the operating tube I9. A substantially U-shaped spring 25 issecured to the inner faces of jaws 22, and this spring isvprovided withan aperture 26 through which the filling 21 passes.. On the inner facesof jaws 22 and near their outer ends, are two small blocks 28,preferably formed out of rubber. These rubber blocks 28 are provided foreillclently gripping the iillingv 21. An inner tube 29 is within thetube I9 and on the inner end of tube 29 is a cam plug 30. This cam plug30 works on inclined surface 3I of jaws 22 to hold the jaws open, asclearly shown in Figure 14. This is. accomplished by coil spring` 32,which presses at its outer end against sliding block or plug 33. Plug 33is provided with a transverse pin 34 (Figure l2), which works in slots35 of the tube I9. The spring 32 acts when the jaw is open, because itnormally is in a com.- pressed position between the inner collar 33a,fastened to the tube I9, and the other plug 33 which last is fastened ontube-29. Note that the jaws 22 are not opened by the cam plug 30, butare opened by the retrieving jaws 22a of 2|, be-

cause of thesplitting action of the cam surfaces Y it may be graspedwhen the jaws interlock,l consequently cam plug 310 cannot act when thejaws are closed due to the action `of spring 25. In other words, spring32 is not strong enough to actuate plugagainst spring 25, but when jaws22 are opened, by the action of -the 'retrieving jaws, as explainedabove, the plug3ll Ais forcedr back by spring 32 action to hold the jaws22 open. The jaws 22 are provided on` opposite sides with bevelledportions 38 which permit jaws 22a of the gripping retrieving device 2|to easily slide over, into4 the interlocking position as shown clearlyin Figure 13. The two. bevelled portions 38, on each side of jaws 22converge towards their inner ends, whereby the jaws 22a are assured ofcentralizing themselves with respect to the jaws 22 as they pass overthe jaws 22 and thus locate themselves in a favorable position "to graspthe filling; as has been explained previously, the retrieving jaws openthe inserting jawsA upon reversal of motion. The filling is clamped inthe' jaws of both devices, inserting and retrieving, until-reversal ofmotion takes place, at which time the lling is released from theinserting jaws when they are opened by the reversal movement of theretrieving jaws. The retrieving device 2|, of the gripping devices, hasspring 25a therebetween, this spring performing the same function asspring 25 on jaws 22. Rubber blocks 28 are also -placed onjaws 22a andperform the same function as the gripping blocks do on jaws 22. Jaws 22aare provided with double bevelled 4portions 39 and 38 which quicklysplit the J'aws 22 for causing said jaws to readily assume their openposition (Figure 14). 'The jaws 22a are pivotally mounted at on theplugr4l carried by the other operating tube I 9, at the left ofFigure 1. An inner tube 29a is in the left hand tube I9 with a cam plug38 on its inner end, which cam plug 38 engages the cam surface 42 onjaws 22a. The inner tube 23a is furnished` with pin 34, similar to thepin 34 of the insertingdevice 28, and this pin 34 of the retrievingdevice slides in slots 35 the same as the pin of theinserting device.The action of the cam 30 in the retrieving device 2l is dissimilar fromthat of the cam in the inserting device 20, in that in the latter i whenthe pin 34 is acted upon by the bracket 36` it (after the jaws areopened and are being held open-by cam 30) causes the cam` to release andclose the 'jaws 22 upon the filling, while inf the retrieving device 2|,-when `the jaws vare closed and have drawn the filling the rest of theway through the shed and the looper has operated and the filling hasbeen cut off near the jaws, then the contact of the'pin 34 against thebracket 36 causes the cam 38 in this device 2l to force the jaws 22aopen momentarily, thus allowing the short piece of fillingleft in thesejaws to fall out. As soon as the pin 34 leaves the bracket 36, the jawsclose again and are ready to enterl the shed for the next pick. Thisaction is caused by the proper design of operating cam I6, Fig.- 13.

The operation of the Agripping devices is instantaneous, during theweaving of the fabric. Ithas been proven by practical demonstration thatthe movement of the gripping devicesttowardw each other is very rapid atthe beginning, and

the movement is decidedly slower as they enter the engaging position,Figure 13, but after the retrieving device 2i has gripped the illing 21and has moved to the separated position shown in Figure 15, then themovement is again very rapid, so that the directing of the fillingacross the shed is very rapid. It is, therefore, to be understood thatin this novel process of weaving, the filling is directed from the righthand edge of the fabric being wovenby the inserting device toapproximately the middle of` theshed and thence the filling is takenfrom the inserting device` by the retrieving device, and drawn across tothe opposite edge of the shed. By reason of the operation vof twodevices for inserting the filling working concurrently, the rapidity ofinserting the filling is greatly increased over the one style insertingmethods of operation.

In supplying the filling 21 to the loom, I provide a large fillingcarrying cone 43 supported preferably upon bracket 44 (Figure 5). Thiscone 43 can carry any desired filling, and will carry agreat amount offilling, producing a supply of lling far in excess of which the shuttleis capable of carrying in the ordinary loom. Therefore, it .will be seenthat my loom will operate a comparatively, indefinite period before anew supply of filling need be supplied. The filll ing 21 is threadedthrough the tension device 45, thence to the eye 46 mounted in the outerflange 41 of bracket 31. The filling 21 is then threaded through theinner tube 29 to the inserting device, as clearly shown in Figure 16.

The tension device comprises the base bracket 48 which is fastened to asupport or the floor by means of bolts 49. This base bracket 43 is4provided with an upstanding portion` 50. (Figs. 8, 9 and 10). Extendingnear the upper end of extension 59 are the stationary tension fingers5I. The `lingers 5I are provided on the outer ends with a turned downportion 52, `and intermediate they vare provided with a notch 53. Anauxiliary bracket 54 is fastened by screw 55 to the upstanding portion58 of bracket 48. Auxiliary bracket 54 is suitably insulated frombracket 48. Auxiliary bracket 54 is substantially Y- shape in structure,Figure 8, producing bearing` yoke 56. The ends of this yoke 56formbearings in which rotary pin 51 is mounted. On pin 51 is sleeve 58.Projecting from this sleeve are the tension eye fingers 59. -Thesefingers 53 each have a downwardly extending portion 68 on The endtension finger y which is formed eye 6I. l (Figure 10) has a longdownwardlyextending portion 62 which'is bent at right angles at 63. Acollar 64 is fastened at one 'end of pin 51 and extending from thiscollar 64 is threaded rod` 65.

On rod 65 is adjustable nut 66. Fastened to the auxiliary bracket 54 isthe electrical lug connector 61 which is held in place by screw 68.

Fastened to extension 58 by screw 69 is electrical lug connectorV 10.Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention porcelaineyes may be substituted in place of the eyes 6I, etc. It will thereforebe seen that the filling 21, from cone 43, passes through the wooltension roll 1I (Figure 5), held in a suitable bracket 12, which bracketis fastened to the base bracket 48. From the roll 1I` the filling entersthe tension device 45 passing under a stationary finger 5I and thenthrough eye 6I of the contiguous finger 59. 'I'his sequence of thepassing under one and then through the eye of the other tension fingercontinues untilt-the filling 21 4leaves the last tension finger, fromwhich it goes tothe eye 46, and

. sword 3 (Figure 1).

then is threaded into the tube I9. Due ,to the interlacing of the llingbetween the stationary tension fingers and the rotatable or eye tensionfingers 59 and the tendency of the adjustable weight 66 to take up slackon the upper tension fingers, a tension is maintained on the filling 21whichv may be adjusted as desired by using more r less of the tensionngers or by adjusting the balance nut S6. Should the tension become tooweak, the weight of the balance nut 66 will cause a rotary movem-ent ofthe top tension fingers 59 to a point where the end of the last one (62)will contact, as shown by dotted lines 63a (Figure 10, the lowerextension finger contiguous thereto. This will cause the completion ofthe electrical circuit, which in turn will cause the loom to stopthrough theusual method of stop motion control of the warp stop motion.This device will also function similarly should the lling become broken.Of great importance is the fact that every insertion of the filling willbe under practically identical tension, thus insuring a perfect llingtension condition which will be reflected in a superior woven fabric.v

Referring to Figure 4, the elongated bracket 13 is carried 0n the upperportion of the right hand end of the loom, being fastened to the lay Oneend 'of the operating tube I9 is slidably mounted in the extension 36 ofbracket 31 as hereinbefore stated. The tube I9 is slidably mounted inbracket 19 near its opposite end. The bracket 14 is the main bracket forsupporting the tube I9, the other tube I9 being supported in similarmanner. Tube I9 is slidably mounted in extension 36 when tube I9 v is inits outer position, for the tube must be in extension 36 to allow pin 34toA strike against the extension forY the purpose hereinbeforespecified. Bracket 14 isfastened by bolt 15 to the lay sword 3, and,too, this bolt fastens bracket 13 to the lay sword.

Referring particularly to Figure 18, the scissor 16 comprises the upperblade 11 and the lower blade 18. These blades are mounted on a stud 19of the oscillating lever 38. This lever 80 is providedl with a stud 8lmounted in hub 82. On stud 8l is mounted a second oscillating lever 83.This lever 83 has a downwardly projecting ange 84 in which is mountedthe adjustable screw 85; this screw 85 is provided with the usual checknut 86. This oscillating lever 83 is held in posiltion by a spring 81,fastened atone end to the lever andy at the other end to the bracket 88.The upper end of this oscillating lever 83 is constructed with -a tangend 89, which tang end has slots in its ends through which the end ofthe upper blade 11 extends. The outer end of the lower blade 18 alsoextends through tang 89 in the same manner. Spring 90 is fastenedbetween blades 11v and 18 to keep an open tension on the blades and alsohold them in their respective slots in tang 89. Oscillating lever 83 hasalso an upwardly projecting lug 9I in which is mounted the adjustingstop screw 92,-provided with a check nut.` Lever 80 has a downwardlyprojecting nger 93 which is held under spring tension by means of spring94; this spring is connected at one end to finger 93 and. at its otherend to.

a downwardly projecting finger 95 of bracket 88. Lever 80 is alsoprovided with a projecting portion 96 which acts as a stop lug for theadjustable screw 91;. screw 91is mounted on the integral lug 98 whichextends outwardly from the bracket 88. Bracket 88 is held on frame I bymeans of bolts 99. The illustration in Figure out any interference fromthe scissors.

18 shows the device in position as when the lay has moved toward thefront of the loom and is about to operate. The lling has been insertedand the gripping devices have returned to their normal position outsideof the shed. The lling has been located in the lling looper II8(hereinafter specifically described), the looper has rotated out ofposition from in the shed and the filling is in a position near theend'of the looper. The lling inserting jaws 22 (Figure 16) have closedon the filling to grasp the same, however, the retrieving device jawshave not yet opened. This is accomplished by the proper dep sign andtiming of the cams I6 (Figure 3), which control the action of theoperating levers 9 and the operating tubes I9. As the lay moves furthertowards the front of the loom, the screw 85 contacts a portion of themoving lay, as indicated by dotted lines I9! `(Figure 18). This causeslever 83 to rotate on its stud 8I against the tension of spring 81. Asthis motion takes place, the extended portion of the shear blades areforced open by the ends of the slotted tang 89 until'the tang isapproximately at the center of the handle ends of the blades of thescissor. This action has caused the scissors to close and cut thefilling, thus severing it from its position in the weave and freeing itfrom the jaws which hold it in position in the warp. Now, if the shearswere allowedV to remain in this position after cutting the filling, theywould be struck by the reed and thus cause damage to the reed. Toprevent this condition from existing,` any further movement after thecutting has taken place causes the lever 80 and the whole cooperatingmechanism to rotate on its lower stud towards the front of the loomagainst the tension of spring 94, out of position, thus causing thescissors or shears to be moved away from the reed which is free to beatup the pick inserted with- This last rotation takes place because afterthe shears or scissors are closed lever 83 cannot move any farther andso the whole structure rotates around the center of the stud 'at thebottom, as explained. Now, as the lay reverses, after having beat up thelling, the spring 94, which is under excessive tension causes the wholedevice to rotate back to the original position where it is stopped whenthe adjusting stop cam screw 91 contacts the extension 96 of lever 80.Further rearward movement of the lay causes the spring 81 to withdraw orrotate the lever 83 to its original position where it is stopped bycontact of the adjustable stop screw 92 contacting with stop lug I03integral with lever 80. It may be mention'ed that spring. 94 must beconsiderably stronger than spring 81 for successful operation of themechanism. -The mechanism is now back in its original position ready forthe next pick and a repetition of the operation as outlined.

' Referring to Figures 21 to 25, in which the looping mechanism of myimproved loom is shown, a bearing block |04 is fastened to a suitablepart of the loom frame by means of bolts I05. A shaft |06 passes througha portion |01 of the bearing block |04 on the upper end of which iscollar |08. Shaft 106 has a pin |09 which rides in slot I I8 formed inthe bearing portion |01. Shaft I06 also has a collar III on its lowerend, which collar acts as a stop for said shaft. On shaft |06 is mounteda hub shaped piece II2. The, under side of hub shaped piece II2 isprovided with a downwardly extending portion I I2a, dotted linesFig.,2`2. Portion H2 function of this spring is to keep ||2 and 4 isalso provided with projection ||3 on the outer At the outerend of sleeve||9 is secured acollar |20. Collar |20has an extended portion |2| whichhas rack teeth |22 meshing with pinion ||4. Collar `I20 has also anextended portion |23; the purpose of which is to provide la portion ofcollar' |20 whichmay be acted upon by lever |24 to impart motionthereto. Mounted on shaft |06 and sleeve I I9 is coiled springi25. The

|20 in the position shown in the drawings,until the extended portion |23is acted upon by 4lever |24 at |23. Mounted on shaft |06 between thebearing faces of |04 and II2 isthe spring |21,

the functionof which is to keep these units in an extendedy position, sothat shaft |06 vis extended tothe `position shown in the drawings, withcollar ||I acting as a stop. Spring |21 must be considerably strongerthanspring |25. Extending from the bearing block |04 are two y hookedportion |32 and any other part of the lugs |28 which forni bearings forpin |29; On this pin |29 is mounted the hub |30 whichhas the extendedportion |3I. A part of extended portion |3I has the hook |32 (Figure22). which hook is on the upper side of the end of the outwardlyextending arm |33. The centery of the hooked portion |32 is inlinewiththe center line of the hub |2 on the bottom of which is the pointedportion |34. `Hooked portion |32 has v a forwardly extending finger I35. The function of finger |35 is to prevent contact between the hook|32 and the spring |21. The lever |3| is provided at onev end with a camunit I32a. Fassleeve ||9 downward, against the slight tension` of spring|25 .until it isstoppedffrom furtherV motion on shaft |06, vas the faceof hub ||2.con

tacts the end of the `face of sleeve |I9. Shaft |06 has remainedstationary as it is held in position by the relatively strong spring|21, acting between the collar [I2 and the face of the bearing |04.`Collar acts as a stop to prevent the spring |21 `from causing anyfurther movement of shaft |06. A s hub |20 has moved and with itextension |2|, this movement has caused pinion segment II4 to rotate bythe effort of the rack teeth in' mesh with the pinion teeth. Thisrotation carries with it the filling looper device I8. As this rotationtakes plac, the filling which is still under tension, in effect slidesaround into the endv of the device where it is held from' falling out bymeans of the pronged construction |38 on the tube or jaws |0| of saiddevice ||9. Note that at this. point the looping device is now outsidethe warp line and clear of the same. Also, that this rotation has' beenrelatively rapid in operation, `due to the pinion and rack arrangement.`This allows 4 without damage fplished in the following manner. r

noted that the pick, the` ends of which are now the looper `device tomove out of position so that the reed does not come in contact with thelooper device before ithas'cleared itself. Figure 21 shows the looperdevice in its former and inactive or normal position. Figure 20 showsthe looper in its most extended position and in. the warp as it would.be `before rotation. Now as the lever |24 moves farther forward, itcarries with it hub |20. inasmuch as hub |20 is mounted onL sleeve I|9,the spring |25 has been contracted and therevcan be no further action ofsaid spring because sleeve ||9 is against hub H2, hub I|2 is compelledto take any further movement, which it may, by causing shaft |06 toslide in its bearing portion |01 of bearing block |04. This movementcauses spring '|21 to be contracted. Cam surface |39 on projection |26of the lever |24 acts upon the cam surface of lever |3I, causing thelatter to be forced in a downward direction, thus assisting hook portion|32 to escape its locking point, at |34, on the hub II 2. At such timewhen there has been sufficient movement to cause the cam shaped surfaces|39 and |3941` to become disengaged, it will be noted that locking point|34 of lever I3| prevents said lever from rotating in an upwarddirection by the action of spring |36, because it contacts and slidesalong the lever. This condition prevents any interferencebetween thefere. l

During the latter part of memoriam, the i111- ing 21 has been moved upto a position near the apex (or fell, in velvet) of the warp threads,and .it has also been cut by the cutting device at each end, thusreleasing it from the carrier jaws and allowing them (the jaws) to moveto a vmore forward position than. that assumed by the reed when `in thebeat up position. This is necessary because the centerline of. theoperating tube and gripping devices is slightly in advance of the frontface of the reed, which is a necessary condition to allow the jaws tooperate `(open and close) at the time of `transfer of filling threadnear the center of the weave therewith. 'y s Now, as the lay reversesits movement sufiiciently and carries the lever` |24, thehook |32engages the downwardly extended portion of hub I|2. This preventsthedevicefrom moving as a unit any further. Note that theT cam surfacesl|39 and |32 have not yetcontacted each other. The idea of this movementis to allow the looper to be moved up to a DOsition to the reed throughcontact where it maybe turned .into the shed, and also allow time forthe shed to open sufficiently to allow clearance therein.for'the looperto enter.

of course, the shed is closedV after the 1005s end of ythe `ller hasbeenturned in with the next pick. i

l The mechanism is now in position to execute the looping operationandthat is accom'- It should be in the jaws of the looper device(Figs.'21 and 22)', has been bound in, as the warp threads have changedsince its insertion and it has been beaten up bythe reedinthe lay. Thismeans that when the looper device operates, it will be inserting theends of mentionedpick in the shed opening formed to receivethesucceeding pick. Ingother words, the ends are not turned` into theopening of the same pick, but into the opening existing for thesubsequent pick.

As lever |24 moves further, it allows hub |20 on sleeve IIS to move withit, due to the action .between the warp threads.

It will be noted that cam shaped surface |39 in connection with the camface of unit |32a have contacted and acted to partially disen- .gagehook |32 and slightly more movement Will allow this hook |32 to becometotally disengaged and thus allow the mechanism to move further as awhole unit to its initial position, as shown in Figure 21, during. whichforward movement it will have released any short end of fillingremaining in the looper jaws H8, and will then be in position to receivethe next pick and repeat the cycle as hereinbefore explained for thenext pick.

It is to be understood that the cutting as well as the loopingoperations are performed at both sides'of the weave by similar devicesas above described-for these operations, opposite hand units beingInecessarily used.

In the interest of simplicity, all of the parts of the loom have notbeen illustrated as any one versedl in the art is familiar with theconstruction of the same. I have illustrated my invention as a singleshed application. However, it

is not intended to limit the scope of this inven tion to this extent, asmore than one set of gripping devices may be operated simultaneously, aswould be required in the case of multiple shed weaving.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the inserting of the fillingin the manner Vspecified is governed by the movement of the insertingand retrieving devices, through the action of cam and lever units. Thismotion is s0 designed that it is favorable in all respects to adesirable tension condition of the inserted filling. That is, thegripping devices have a relative slow but increasing speed up to thecenter of the maximum amount of movement and then a decreasing speed tothe point of a maximum throw. The same action takes place through thereversal path of the cycle necessary to complete the insertion of theweft or filling. At the point of transfer ofthe filling from theinserting device tothe retrieving device-which point is the interlockingposition of these devices-the movement is at its slowest speed, thispresenting a most favorable condition. for transfer. This transfer alsotakes place from just before until just after back center of crank shaftposition, at a time when lay motion is ,at its minimum speed of motion.AIn fact, the center of the position of transfer maybe at'a, time whenthe lay is reversing.

The feature of having two gripping devices, meeting near the center ofthe weave, 'is very important and distinct; in fact, it places thissystem of shutterless loom operation in a position of great advantageand'superiority over any where only one carrier is available, in thatthe speed of operation oi' the gripping devices may be cut in two with.respect to the speed of a one-carrier system. This makes it possible t'oincrease the speed of the loom operation with respect to jaw operatingspeed which is of unquestionable value.

It is also to be understood that in accordance with this invention asingle thread is carried through the shed and placed in position and notreleased until near the vbeating up position. The ends of the fillingafter being cut or released from the jaws are turned back into theselvage of the following pick, thus leaving the selvage with a favorableedge as well as reinforcing the edge and looping the same so thattemples of the inserted type may be used if so desired. This featurealso preventsv any possibility of ravelling at the edge.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and haveillustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain changes oralterations may appear toone. skilled inthe art to which this inventionrelates during the extensive manufacture of the same and I, therefore,reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairlyfall within the scope of the appendedv claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of operatingtubes on said support, a

pair of gripping devices on the inner ends of said tubes, each grippingdevice comprising a pair of hinged jaws, a spring betwceniand fastenedat its ends to the jaws of each pair, gripping blocks on the jaws ofeach pair, Aand means for operating said tubes.

2. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of slidableoperating tubes o n said support, a lling inserting gripping device onthe inner end of one tube, said gripping device comprising a pair ofpivoted jaws provided at their outer endsv with bevelled portions and'with gripping blocks, a retrieving grippingV device on the inner end ofthe other operating tube, said last mentioned gripping device comprisinga pair of jaws provided near their outer 'ends with gripping blocks andwith bevelled portions, means for operating said tubes, whereby the jawsof the gripping devices travel over their bevelled portions duringmovement to an interlocking position and to a separation from the saidinterlocking position.

3. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of movabletubes on said support, gripping devices ori-the inner ends of saidtubes, each gripping device comprising hinged jaws, cam means betweenthe jaws of each gripping device, means carried by said tubes foroperating said cam means, whereby lthe jaws are opened and heldin anopened position, and means for operating said movable tubes upon saidsupport.

4. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of slidingtubes upon said support,

'gripping devices on said tubes, each gripping device comprising a pairof jaws, a. cam unit between the jaws of each pair, an inner tube withineachA sliding tube and connected to a cam unit, springs within saidsliding tubes and around said inner tubes exerting pressure upon saidinner tubes inone direction, means for releasing said inner tubes whenthe cam units are in a set position, whereby the respective jaws of eachgripping device can closetogether, and means for sliding saidslidable'tubes.

5. In a shuttleless loom, the. combination with a support, of operatingtubes on said support, gripping devices on the inner ends of said tubes,

each gripping device comprising a pair of jaws, a operating tubeprovided with means extending cam pluglslidably mounted between the jawsof each pair, an inner tube connected at its inner end to said cam plug,a plug provided with a pin secured to said inner tube near its outerend,said pin extending -through the side of the operating tube, yeldablemeans within said operating tube and pressing against the plug near theouter end of the inner tube, -said pin adapted to engage a portion ofsaid support for moving said cam plug to an unset position, and meanscarried by said support for imparting movement to saidoperating tubes.

6. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with asupport, of movableoperating tubes on said support, grippingdevices on theinner ends ofsaid tubes, each gripping device comprising a pair of pivoted jaws, aspring between the jaws of each pair and having its ends secured to saidjaws, whereby the jaws are normally held in a closed position, a camplug slidably mounted between the jaws of each pair and being capable ofholding the jaws in an open or set position, means for operating saidcam plug, and means on said support for imparting movement to saidmovable operating tubes.

7. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of operatingtubes movably mounted on said support, a pair of jaws hingedly mountedon the inner end of each operating tube, can means slidably mountedbetween the `jaws of each pair, movable means in each operating tube andiixedly connected to the cam means, whereby the cam means is operated toopen the jaws, means for operating said movable means for releasing thejaws and permitting same to close, and means for operating saidoperatingtubes.

8. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with .a support, of a pair ofaligned hollow tubes on said support, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted aplug extending from its inner end a pair of,`

jaws hingedly mounted at their inner endson each plug, means normallyholding the jaws of each pair in a closed position, a tube within saidoperating tube and provided on its inner end with means for opening thejaws, means for operating said last-mentioned tube, and means for loperating said operating tubes.

10. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of operatingtubes movably mounted on said support, said operating tubes providedwith plugs extending outwardly on their irmer ends, a pair of jawspivotally mounted at their inner ends on the outer end 'of each plug, asecondary tube within the operating tube and extending through a plugland in between the jaws of each pair, means onsaid secondary tubebetween the jaws for operating same, and means on said support forimparting movement to said `operating tube.

11. In a shuttleless loom, the combination With a support,` of operatingtubes on said support, each operating tube provided on its inner endwith a pair` of pivotally mounted jaws,

said

through the pivot of said jaws for operating the jaws to open the same,and means on said support for imparting movement to said operatingtubes. l

12. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of operatingtubes slidably mounted on said support, each operating tube providedwith a plug threaded into its outer end, eachplug provided with a pairofA jaws hingedly mounted on its outer end, a secondary tube in eachoperating tube and extending through a plug and having one endpositionedbetween two jaws, means on said secondary tube between the jaws formoving the same when said secondary tube is moved in one direction, acollar within said operating tube and on said secondary tube,-a plugwithin said operating tube andsecured to said secondary tube, saidlast-mentioned plug provided with a pin extending beyond the side ofsaid operating tube,l a spring on said secondary tube between its collarand plug, means for operating upon the pin for forcing the secondaryltube in one direction, and means for operating said operating asupport, of lay swords upon said support, elongatedhorizontal bracketsattached to said lay` swords, brackets provided with slidable operating'tubes on said lay swords and registering with said elongated brackets,said operating tubes provided with gripping means on their iner ends,said operating tubes provided with means for operating said grippingmeans, said elongated brackets provided with extensions adapted to beengaged by portions of said gripping-means operating means, and meanscarried by said support for operating said operating tubes.

14. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of layswords, elongated brackets extending outwardly from said lay swords,sliding operating tubes on said lay swords in alignment with saidelongated brackets, said operating tubes provided on their inner endswith cooperating gripping means, said elongated brackets provided neartheir outer ends with extensions, grippingmeans operating means carriedby said operating tubes and being adapted to engage said extensions`during part movement of said operating tubes, and means for impartingmovement to said operating tubes.

15. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a support, of lay swordson said support, elongated brackets provided with extensions fastened tosaid lay swords, operating tubes slidably mounted on said lay sword atthe inner ends ofI 16. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with asupport, of slidable operating tubes on said sup-I port, pairs of jawson the inner end of said operonly at their inner ends upon the inner endof' an operating tube, said operating tube provided with cam means foropening the jaws, during movement of the operating tube, the jaws ofeach pair being provided with means near their center for normallyholding the jaws in a closed position,

. ating tubes, each pair of jaws pivotally mounted and means forimparting movement to said operating tubes.

17. In a shuttleless loom, the combination with a. support,` of siidableoperating tubes upon said support, each operating tube provided on itsinner end with jaws rigid throughout their length, said jaws of eachoperating tube being pivotally mounted at its inner end, means forpassing a lling through the pivot of -each pair of jaws,

means passing through the pivot of each pair of jaws and provided withmeans between the jaws for operating the same in one direction, meansbetween the jaws of each pair for normally holding same in a, closedposition, and means for operating or imparting movement to saidoperating tubes.

WOODRUFF T. SULLIVAN.

